Though she was homeschooled, Maryam Jameela Haniff was always on never-ending adventures through her reading. She devoured classics like Black Beauty and Treasure Island then later Shakespeare and the collections of celebrated poets like Christina Rossetti and Emily Dickinson. At eight, she penned her first poem and 150 poems later has published her first book Silver Linings.
That first poem, Maryam revealed, was written about the war in Iraq and she was assisted by her parents, who are the foundation of who she is today. Maryam shared that what impacted her life the most was memorizing the Holy Quran when she was a child. Learning the Quran widened her knowledge and imagination as an individual. She credits her poetic talent to Allah.
“I like being a poet because it helps me to express my deepest thoughts and feelings in a beautiful way. Poets often convey what cannot be said in many situations of daily life. Poets are deep people, [we] hurt easily and [our] emotions are ten times stronger than a regular person. This is why when [a poem] is read by the poet herself, [one] can feel the [piece]… coming [to life]. I’m not sure when I became a poet, I’ve always written poetry to express myself from a very young age,” she shared.
Her world, the young woman added, has always been filled with books. It was her homeschooling, she said, that nurtured her love for literature at a young age. Her very first inspiration was famous Scottish writer, Robert Louis Stevenson before Dickinson, Rossetti and Robert Frost were added to this list.
When she was older, Maryam was enrolled in the Isa Islamic School where after two years she graduated as valedictorian in 2011. At first it took some adjusting to school life. She was shy, but at the same time Maryam was not afraid of a challenge. At Isa Islamic School, she participated in several debating competitions. “It was very hard fitting in but towards the end, it was a wonderful experience,” she added. She later completed a diploma in Chemistry at the University of Guyana.
Silver Linings has 40 selected poems that reflect strength, bravery, self-love and the inner beauty of a woman. Speaking of her work, the young poet said that her best pieces are produced when her emotions are the strongest, whether happy or sad. One of her favourite poems, not in the book is “Scarf of Freedom” that speaks of what the scarf she covers her head with really means.
Maryam said that initially none of her poems were written to be performed or published, but just written at one point or another in her life when she felt the need to express something. Nonetheless, after she recited three of her poems two Wednesdays ago at the Commonwealth Writers Workshop, in front of a gathering of local and international writers, the audience erupted in cheers. Each spoken word was a closer look into the poet’s soul and throughout, passion and emotions were felt. Afterwards, some members of the audience and a few of the directors sought her out to express their congratulations and encourage her to continue.
Her book was launched at this year’s Women’s Expo on March 2, and thereafter found its way into several bookstores including Austin’s Book Services.
Asked about the challenges she has faced, Maryam indicated that her journey as a poet has only just begun, but so far she has been fortunate not to have any setbacks. However, as it is with writers, she has had to deal with writer’s block. When this occurs, she would go in search of other poets’ work or sometimes reread her own pieces. At other times the poet would find inspiration in photos, or in moments and feelings recalled.
She has learned too that poetry is not for everyone. “People inclined to poetry will appreciate it and for those who don’t it doesn’t mean my work is bad or not good enough.” She added that having become more familiar with the writings of classical poetry, she has steered clear of Guyanese Creole, which she knows is fast becoming a trend. Persons, Maryam noted, dislike her not including creole in her work. While she understands and respects their opinions, she shared that this is who she is and she has learned that what someone else thinks doesn’t determine the value of her work.
She noted that since she published Silver Linings the feedback has been tremendous. Persons have encouraged her to continue writing and to publish more books. She is now making plans to have more of her work published in the years to come in hope of making a difference in the lives of her readers. In addition to this, Maryam is working towards having her brand developed and recognized.
She shared that while she is not particularly au fait with the happenings in the industry right now, she does know that there is still a lot more to be done as it relates copyrights and a publishing house for writers.
Meanwhile, she recognised that she was able to soar because of the support of the special people in her life: her parents, husband, grandparents and in-laws. “They,” she said, “gave me confidence to do more and climb higher.
“I hope to leave a legacy of the true nature of Islam as it pertains to Muslim women. Most people tend to believe Muslim women are oppressed and are confined to the home, but I would like to erase that idea. My parents made all the efforts to give me, their girl child, the best education and have always supported my dreams… being a Muslim and a woman does not prevent [one] from realizing a dream. You can have the best of both worlds. I memorized the entire Quran in my childhood, and it has had an impact on the way I write because of the perfect rhythmic lines. This would be my legacy, a hafiza [one who memorized the Quran] and lived by it while fulfilling her dreams. I want to have been an example of goodness.”
She encouraged aspiring poets to follow their dreams. “Poetry is from the soul. You just need to find the strength within you to set it free and it will flow naturally,” she said.
Maryam is a stay-at-home mother of two little girls. She is also an entrepreneur who runs her business from home which incorporates her writing. She writes poems by request and has them designed, framed or magnetized.
Her free time finds her reading, writing, baking fancy desserts and juggling.
She loves to eat biryani, pizza, curries, gourmet fish, gulab jamun, chocolate-covered strawberries and her father’s custard pudding.
A copy of Silver Linings can be purchased for $3,000.
Maryam can be followed on Facebook at Maryam Jameela and on Instagram at heart_whisperer24
